Russell Peter Francis Best, Sr. was born July 24, 1937, in Long Branch, New Jersey.  On January 11, 1957, at age 19, he joined the United States Marine Corps via Parris Island.  In 1964, Mr. Best was assigned duties as the Legal Chief of Camp Smedely D.   Butler in Okinawa.  Special Services directed Mr. Best to Agena, the headquarters of Isshin-Ryu Karate and his Sensei, Founder of Isshin-Ryu Karate, Grandmaster Soke Tatsuo Shimabuku. 

From this time, Mr. Best began living this system called Isshin-Ryu, the “One Heart Method” with all his heart and soul.  Having a number of legal clerks under his command permitted Mr. Best to divide his time between the Marine Corps and the Isshin-Ryu Dojo in Agena, Okinawa.   Mr. Best was able to at times devote 8 to 10 hours a day at the Agena Dojo.  When the AOKA Isshin-Ryu Karate Secretary, John Bartusevics, was being reassigned to the United States, he suggested to Soke Shimabuku that Mr. Best assume the duties of AOKA Isshin-Ryu Karate Secretary, which he did until his reassignment to the United States after his 14 month tour and his attaining the rank of Sho-Dan (1st Degree Black Belt). 

Mr. Best and Soke Shimabuku became friends on a personal basis.  As Master Bartusevics will confirm, when a Karate-Ka attained that personal friendship, Soke Shimabuku would allow those students to go to “special places”, those other Karate students did not experience.  One of Sensei Best’s greatest achievements was his promotion to Sho-Dan by Soke Tatsuo Shimabuku, himself. 

Upon Sensei Best’s return to the United States, he was stationed at Quantico, Va.   As part of a karate team, Sensei Best, along with well known karate-ka "Skipper" Mullins, he competed in a Jhon Rhee Karate Tournament at the National Guard Armory, in Washington, D.  C..   Sensei Best's first match was with the World Champion, Joe Lewis.   During his tour of duty, he taught karate classes at the Larson Gym, aboard the Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Va.   While stationed there, he attended numerous karate tournaments, achieving awards and in lighting the different martial art styles to the Isshin-Ryu System.   Sensei Best and his family was transferred to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he introduced the Isshin-Ryu Systems to Puerto Rico.   The first Isshin-Ryu karate school, headed by Sensei Best was located at Ft.   Buchanan, the military annex to the San Juan Naval Base.   This introduction of Isshin-Ryu Karate into Puerto Rico was so special to Sensei Best that his words could not express his feelings.   This special event is only second to his marriage to Catherine and the family they created together. 

Mr. Best had correspondence with Master Steve Armstrong while serving as AOKA Secretary, and this continued while stateside and while stationed in Puerto Rico.  While performing his duties in Puerto Rico, Sensei Best kept Master Armstrong advised of the introduction of Isshin-Ryu to Puerto Rico and his school which received high honors in local tournaments.  This information was relayed to Soke Shimabuku, who instructed Master Armstrong to promote Sensei Best to Ni-Dan on December 4, 1968. 

(Russell Best and Steve Armstrong)

In November 1969, Sensei Best received change of station orders to Cecil Field, FL.  Sensei Best requested to go to Vietnam instead, and this change was granted.  While stationed in Vietnam, Sensei  Best was promoted to Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps.  While practicing his katas, several marines observed him and requested that he instruct them in the Isshin-Ryu karate system, which he did.  While serving in Vietnam, Sensei  Best took his R & R vacation in Okinawa and continued his karate studies under Soke Shimabuku and his son Kichiro.  On February 3, 1971, Soke Shimabuku promoted Sensei  Best to San-Dan (3rd Degree) and he returned to duty in Vietnam. 

While still in Vietnam, a close martial arts friend and brother in Isshin-Ryu, Dennis E.   Bootle, corresponded weekly with him and kept him informed of the Isshin-Ryu world.  Sensei Bootle submitted Sensei Best’s name to the Official Karate Magazine as “Karate-Ka of the Month” which appeared in the April 1972 issue, volume 4, no.   18. 

Upon Sensei  Best’s return to the United States he was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC, where he did not hesitate in opening Isshin-Ryu Dojos both on base for Marine personnel, and in the city of Jacksonville for civilian students.  Sensei  Best was assigned to the Staff Judge Advocate’s Office, Base Legal, for military duty and was promoted to his Marine Corps rank of Gunnery Sergeant (E7), at which he retired. 

It was during this time that he became close friends with Grandmaster Donald “Papa-San” Bohan, Grandmaster Danny Glover and Master Karl Hovey.  Grandmaster Glover and Master Hovey are like members of his immediate family.  Also during this period of time, Sensei Best met his close friend, Sensei Robert Jenkins, Go-Dan in Isshin-Ryu karate.  All of these men have had a great influence on Grandmaster Best’s history in Isshin-Ryu Karate and his way of life, and that influence continues to this present day. 

(John Bartusevics / Ed Johnson / Tokumura Kensho / Harold Mitchum / Tom Lewis / Russell Best / Jake Eckenrode)

(This picture was taken at the Don Bohan / Rick Niemira Memorial Martial Arts Championships, June 28, 2008, Fredericksburg, Virginia.  The six martial arts shown in this picture are all first generation students of Grand Master Tatsuo Shimabuku.)

In June 1977, Sensei Best and his family were reassigned to the Memphis, TN area for duty.  In addition to his duties as legal Chief of Marine Air Traffic Support Group-90, he continued to perform special duties as a military police officer and the MATSG-90, boxing coach.  Sensei Best was also able to attend the Shelby County Sheriff Department Police Academy to become a Deputy  Sheriff, and still teach karate class. 

On April 18, 1979, Sensei Best and his family retired from the United States Marine Corps, after 22 years of honorable service.  Grandmaster Best moved to the Washington, DC area and started a second career in Law Enforcement, with the Maryland Prince George’s County, Park Police.  He held positions of Police Officer, Homicide Detective, Evidence Supervisor and Motorcycle Officer.  During this time Grandmaster Best attended college and earned a degree in Law Enforcement. 

(Catherine and Russell Best)

During Sensei Best’s continued training, practice and instruction in Isshin-Ryu Karate, he connected with Master Frank VanLenthen.  On May 23, 1973, Master Van Lenten promoted Grandmaster Best to Yon Dan (4th Degree). 

Master Best stayed involved in karate through teaching classes in the Fire Station in Bladensburg, MD, as well as the basement of his Upper Marlboro, MD home and his judging at various karate tournaments and events especially those of Grandmaster Dan Glover of Burlington, NC and Master Karl Hovey in King George’s County, VA. 

(Catherine and Russell Best)

(Grand Master Russell Best and guest were treated to a behind the scenes tour of the United States Capitol and the Library Of Congress by Sensei Mike Albrycht (San-Dan Wayland's Isshin-Ryu).  This picture was taken on the roof of the Library Of Congress.)